Iran keeps peace talks attendance in limbo ahead of second round

Iran has not yet confirmed whether it will take part in the second round of peace talks scheduled in Pakistan this week, Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated, noting that Islamabad has made “sincere efforts to convince” Tehran to join the negotiations.

Writing on X, Attaullah Tarar said a “formal response from Iranian side about confirmation of delegation to attend Islamabad Peace Talks is still awaited,” adding that Pakistan remains in “constant touch with Iranians and pursuing the path of diplomacy and dialogue.”

The situation as it stands at 1930 PST

1. Formal response from Iranian side about confirmation of delegation to attend Islamabad Peace Talks is still awaited.

2. ⁠Pakistan as the mediator is in constant touch with Iranians and pursuing the path of diplomacy and dialogue.

3.…

— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) April 21, 2026

The minister noted that the current ceasefire between Tehran and Washington ends at 4:50 a.m. Pakistan time on April 22 (7:50 p.m. ET today). US President Donald Trump said on April 20 that the ceasefire expires on “Wednesday evening Washington time.”

“[The] Decision from Iran to attend the talks before the end of two weeks ceasefire is critical,” Tarar said.

“Pakistan has made sincere efforts to convince the Iranian leadership to participate in the second round of talks and these efforts continue,” he added.

Earlier, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar urged both the US and Iran to “consider extending the ceasefire” and “to give dialogue and diplomacy a chance,” according to a statement from the ministry spokesperson’s office.

By Jeyhun Aghazada